Saint James Blog

This week James shared a message that really hits home I believe to all of us.  In this passage about being prepared because we never know when the final hour will come, James reminds us to remain watchful and thoughtful about what we say and do.  This was an especially poignant message in light of the fact that this afternoon a beloved member passed.  He made his peace and for those of us who visited him this week we could see that he was walking home and that he knew where he was going.  Jacks illness came on so quickly and the last month and a half went even faster.  Walking with him in this last part of his journey was a blessing and a reminder about priorities.  I hope that you and I will take this passage to heart and not take the moments, people, and opportunities in our life for granted.  What are you doing to thank and live for God today?  What are you doing for others?  What are you doing for yourself?  What will others remember you for?  We each have a song to sing, I hope that you live a life that sings a song of love and peace.  This is a powerful message that I hope you take the opportunity to listen to once it is uploaded.  Grace to your life.

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 Jesus lists many things in this passage that will pass away but reminds us that His words will never pass away.  Jesus wants us to be ready to understand these things. The sky and other things change.  There will be violence and bad things but God stands true to us, His chosen people.  Things in life do pass away.  Things are not built to last even like they used to be built.  Joys and sorrow both come and go.  Words remain–hurtful or helpful they stick with us.  Above all, the words we hear and those we desire to hear, Jesus’ words are everlasting, even while everything else is changing around us.  He is our anchor.  Not only did he say these words but he lived his words.  That gave his words more power.  This is his legacy and can be ours as well if we can learn to live his words.  James leaves us with a challenge this week: Open up a Gospel (Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John) to read the words of Jesus (particularly Matthew 5-7).  James believes (and I agree) that these words will challenge us and help us grow in our lives and faith journeys.  Please share if taking up this challenge helps you in your daily journey.

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    Randi and others of us were a little overwhelmed by the thought of having to preach on this passage, but James actually find that this is not a passage about the end times, but about evil times and he finds a message of hope in the midst.

There are bad things. But they are going to happen and we must proclaim the good news in the midst.

The clip for this message was from Million Dollar Baby. It is about a woman who could have given up but didn’t despite others who tried to cut her down. She knew what she was made for and what her reasoning for continuing with her dream.

James reminds us not to short change ourselves, others, and God even when things are difficult. Jesus warned the disciples that it would be difficult and yet challenges them to live what they are passionate about and that ought to be the good news. We can appreciate that honesty even though it makes us gulp.

He, like many of us, has never found his faith to be a crutch. It is difficult and challenges us to think about what we are doing. We may not face the kind of challenges warned about and maybe you have not found your faith to be a challenge in your life or your life to be a challenge to your faith.

The whole point of this passage is to keep our focus no matter what. It is about proclaiming our love for Jesus in our everyday life, all the time. James hopes that we can grab hold of this hope and be passionate about the good news that Jesus came to Earth and stays with us each day to walk with us out of love. This is a religion about dos- love one another, we are free to do and the don’t that do exist are all about not hurting ourselves and others.

God loves us. Let that shape you. Proclaim the good news. That is the message this week and always.

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